The President’s Newsletter

Volume 36, No. 5 November 2015

Including News, 2016 Dues Statement and St. Andrew’s Nicht Reservation Form

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Greetings Gentlemen of the Society:

These past two years have rapidly gone by. As I look back I wish I had could have done more. There is still much to do.
Especially as it pertains to our infrastructure of the “Rooms” and finding new members that will take an active role in the Society. We have many people to thank for continuing our successes these past two years to include our fellow members, spouses and friends who have shown enthusiasm, introduced new ideas and making them happen. I hope we have had fun along the way. I can’t thank my two Vice Presidents, Bruce Newell and Dr. Dick MacDowell and their spouses enough for their dedication, loyalty and hard work. I could not ask for a better Secretary than Gordie Peters. He is a saint for putting up with my harassing emails, and phone calls. Gordie is our talented piper, expert horticulturalist, botanist and all things outdoors. Charlie Brown has done an exceptional job and has worked tirelessly through the years to keep us on financial straits, broadening our charitable commitments and weathering the market fluctuations. We also appreciate his talents as “Malt Master” hosting our delightful “Tastings”. Peter Mckee as Chairman of the Board of Managers graciously took on the most important position in the Society. In addition, he has tirelessly worked on Security, House, and Constitutional matters to name a few. Members Dick Powell, Dan Graves, Bill Burke, Frank Alguire, Bill Bruce, Past President’s Joe Shook, Rich Hixon, Jim McPhee, Peter McLetchie, and Jack Fenimore are a few of the members who give it 150% and are always there for the good of the Society. Thanks to all of the members who have shown up for committee meetings, Board of Manager’s meetings, Garden and Rooms work days, Haggis Teams, toasts at functions, participation at events and filling a chair at our meetings. We fully support our new group of leaders, some moving up into the Officer chairs, some assuming office for the first time and some continuing as Officers and Managers. Please volunteer and actively participate on committees. Let’s give our new officers for 2016 all of your support and assistance.

Aye yours,
Pat

OTHER NEWS

2016 Annual Membership Dues – due in November: $250 for resident members, $150 for Resident Members under age 35 and $50 for non-resident members. Consistent with our fiscal year, our membership year is November to October. Please renew your membership right away by mailing in the attached form. Please do not let the dues form get buried, thinking you have until January until it’s time to renew. Please respect the time of your fellow members. It is very time-consuming for the Treasurer and Secretary to repeatedly send out delinquent dues letters. More seriously, if you have not paid your dues within six months you are considered not in good standing and you may jeopardize certain member benefits and rights. After a year, you can be dropped from the roster. On the dues notice there are separate lines for additional contributions to the Society and the Robert Tunnicliffe Heritage Foundation. These contributions are tax-deductible. These additional contributions help keep us financially sound and to foster excellence in Scottish performing arts. Thanks to those members who have made extra contributions in the past.

Website – Joseph Shook has advised that the Members List (formerly called “membership roster”) found in the Members Entry section of our website can now be printed by clicking on the print icon. Also, at the request of Nancy Tunnicliffe for the RTHF, the Foundation page on the website has been updated.

Malt Tastings – A wonderful “Tasting” was held at the Rooms on September 29. Two wonderful 18 year old malts were introduced. Tim Thornton opened a “Bunnahabhain and Brian McCandless poured a “Highland Park”.
Members and guests agreed that these two were one of the finest we have sampled to date! After the “Tasting”, Peter McLetchie delighted everyone with a most delicious “Bread Pudding” topped with whipped cream. On October 27, Pat Foy presented a Glen Devron 20 year old and Ken Kuck opened a Linkwood 15 year old. As Charlie aptly stated, “both of these malts were off the beaten Speyside track.” Again, Peter McLetchie treated us to a delectable desert.

Passing of Richard A. Hixon, Sr. – We were saddened to hear the news that Richard A. Hixon, Sr. passed away Thursday October 15th with family at his side. The funeral was held Saturday Oct 24th at the Perry Komdat Funeral Chapel, Sand Lake NY. Richard was a fine gentleman often accompanying Rich to the many events. His presence will be missed and our thoughts and prayers are said and shared for him, Rich and the family.

Scots Language Society – Guid fowks. For oor Associe tae continue we maun hae nui memmers. We ciud spen
Ae wheen o siller on advertising but hood dae ye tairget thaim faw wiud be maist interested? Wurd o moo is still best and that is why A’m makin this appeal. Please gie interested in the Scots leid, or gae thaim a year’s membership fir ae birthday or Yuletide giftie. Ou can noo pey throu Paypal at http://www.lallans.co.uk or sen ae
Cheque tae George T. Watt (SLS Membership), 4 Ancrum Drive, Dundee. DD2 2JB….thank you
Nem…………. Post Code……
Address………… Kintra…….….

Report of Nominating Committee – 2015

In accordance with Article 22 of the Constitution, the Past Presidents serving as the Nominating Committee, will put forward the following slate of nominees for Officers of the Society for 2016 at the November 12th meeting:
President – Bruce C. Newell Board of Managers:
1st Vice President – Dr. Richard T. MacDowell Willard A. Bruce
2nd Vice President – William S. Burke John H. Fenimore, V.
Treasurer – Charles Brown Andrew Patterson
Secretary – Frank D. Alguire Gordon A. Peters
Librarian/Historian – Norman S. Rice Dr. Brian McCandless
Chaplain – J. Nixon McMillan
Physician – Dr. Richard T. MacDowell
Armorer to the Society – James R. Burns

UPCOMING EVENTS

Stated Meeting of the Society, Thursday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. – to be held for Elections of Officers, and honoring our fellow veterans. A man in uniform may be our special guest. Veterans are encouraged to wear their uniforms, or parts thereof.

St. Andrew’s Nicht Celebration Monday November 30, 2015 – To be held at the Fort Orange Club. Reception
and cocktails to commence at the Rooms at 6:00 pm and parade to the FOC at 7:00 pm. The dinner announcement is attached and will be available at the November 12th meeting and on the website. By popular demand, Scottish soprano singer Lesley Craigie has been invited back to sing for us at the night’s celebration.

Malt Tasting – Tuesday December 15 at 7:00pm at the Rooms. David and Bruce Newell will be presenting. There will be no tasting in November.

Burns Night – The Burns Celebration is tentatively scheduled for Friday January 22, 2016. More information will be forthcoming at a later date.
ROSTER CHANGES

Lynne A. Graburn II – New phone
Delete his home phone; he’s only using his cell now
C: (518 928-0342).

Michael J. Helbig – New email address
E: hanshelbig.helbig08@gmail.com

Richard W. Powell – New address
9092 Laurel Ridge Dr
Mount Dora, FL 32757

2016 DUES NOTICE

Our membership year runs November to October. Please renew your membership right away and respect the time of your fellow members. They would rather not send out delinquent dues notices. Your prompt payment is very much appreciated.
Please record your Name, Address, Phone # and Email Address:
Member’s Name: _________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Phone #: __________________ Email Address: ____________________________
Date of Birth (ages 34 & under): __________________
v v v
Dues for 2016
Resident Members, $250 (35 & older); Resident Members, $125 (under 35); Non-Resident Members, $50 $__________
Tax-deductible contribution to the Robert Tunnicliffe Heritage Foundation $__________
Dues do not cover our fixed expenses. Please consider making an additional tax-deductible gift to the Society. $__________
Total $__________
If you are currently experiencing financial hardship, please let us know by checking this box. !
Please return this notice with your payment to Charles Brown at the following address. Checks should be made payable to the St. Andrew’s Society. Thank you for responding promptly!
Charles Brown, CFA
Hugh Johnson Advisors
80 State Street, 4th Floor
Albany, NY 12207
Note: To curb expenses, newsletters will be sent to all members by email and a printed
edition by U.S. mail only to those members who request it.
! Please send me printed newsletters.

St. Andrew’s Nicht Observance

Members, ladies and guests are cordially invited to attend the St. Andrew’s Society of Albany Celebration of St. Andrew’s Nicht to be held on Monday, November 30, 2015. The evening will begin with a social hour from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Society’s rooms, 150 Washington Avenue, Albany New York. The parade to the Fort Orange Club will start at 7:00 p.m. Dinner ceremonies will commence at 7:15 p.m.

THE DINNER MENU

Cameron’s Haggis

Salad of Fresh Greens

Prime Rib, Salmon Filet or Vegetarian

Dessert

Coffee and Tea

THE PROGRAMME

We are very pleased to inform you that Ms. Lesley Craigie, acclaimed opera soprano, will once more grace us with her presence and song. She is trained in Scotland and the United States and our membership enjoyed her performance last year. We expect a strong turnout for this event and recommend that you make your reservations early. To make reservations please complete the reservation form below, separate it on the dotted line, and return the form with your check payable to the St. Andrew’s Society of Albany to Bruce Newell, 4 Whispering Pines, Ballston
Lake, NY 12019 no later than Nov. 20, 2015.

———-Cut off here and mail to Bruce Newell———-

I wish to make _____ reservations for St. Andrew’s Nicht on Monday evening November 30, 2015.
Enclosed is my check for $_________
Reservations need to arrive by Nov. 20, 2015. The cost is $78.00 per person.
Meal choices are (enter number ordering) Beef______ Salmon______ or Vegetarian______
Member: ____________________________________________________________________________ (Please print clearly)
Phone Number: ________________________ E-mail Address: ______________________________________________